Archives for February 2018

The enduring popularity of both murder mysteries and true-life crime illustrates the human fascination with death and the macabre. These subjects exert a hold over us that we relish despite our discomfort or even revulsion. The reasons behind our love of the grislier side of life are rooted in our feelings about our own mortality, and many worthy tomes and scientific papers have been written examining this phenomenon. Whatever lies behind it, the demand for books, films, TV shows and other forms of entertainment that draw on this fascination with death shows no sign of diminishing. If you are one of the many who loves these darker experiences, you will probably enjoy visiting one of Europe’s amazing ossuaries, where real human bones are preserved and displayed.

Italy

Palermo’s Capuchin catacombs in Sicily are home to a collection of 8,000 bodies, embalmed after death and then put on display. The remains are generally skeletal, but seeing them dressed in their finest clothes for their funerals brings an element of the bizarre to the display. Rome, home of so many historical wonders, has its own ossuary in the church of Santa Maria della Concezione. The bones of over 4,000 Capuchin monks have been used to create artistic displays, in what is intended to be a celebration of life and the importance of living every day to the full.

Portugal and France

Evora’s Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones) in Portugal is constructed entirely from human remains. The crown molding is formed from rows of human skulls, and the walls are packed with ribs and tibias. The chapel was decorated by 16th-century monks when they ran out of room for burials and had to fit 5,000 bodies within the chapel. Possibly the most well-known underground collections of bones are in the Paris Catacombs. The remains of an astonishing six million French citizens are stored in the maze of subterranean chambers, due to a historical lack of burial space above ground, coupled with the practical application of using bodies to help support the abandoned mines that were posing a threat to the stability of the city above.

Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is home to a vast collection of around 60,000 skeletons which have been used to decorate the chapel of the Kutna Hora church. The Sedlec Ossuary features skull candelabras and huge bone pyramids amongst its gruesome décor, with a chandelier formed from all the bones of the human skeleton taking center stage. The Brno Ossuary had lain almost forgotten until 2001 when construction excavations began under St Jacob’s Square. The archaeologists brought in to perform routine checks on the area were amazed to find the bodies of 50,000 people, thought to have been dug up and placed in storage in the underground channels to make room in the cemeteries for the newly deceased.

These collections of bones and skeletons may sound morbid and creepy, even if you do have a taste for a good scare, but when you visit an ossuary, you will be struck by how beautiful some of these displays can be, and what a marvel the mind and body of the human being can be.

Thinking about an office without people? It is as absurd as thinking about the earth without air. Regardless of the type and size of the office, it starts with employees (people) and ends with customers, clients, and guests (people). As such, your office design must pivot around this human element for growth and success of the business. Creating a strong first impression goes a long way in developing business relation, and lack of that is sure to deliver the opposite result.

Office decoration plays a very vital role in running the business. When you give a stylish makeover to your commercial setting, it enhances the perception of the people about your business. Mind, a clean and well-maintained office tells a lot about the quality, class, and efficiency of the business. Office decor can also bring in outstanding business growth. Several studies conducted, on the effect of environment on human behavior, strongly suggest that physical environment has significant impacts on happiness and productivity of the employee. The studies also indicate that well-decorated offices have less absenteeism.

Talking about the office design, we always think about the big names like Google, Microsoft, and Apple etc. who made revolutionary changes in their office design to make them more human-friendly for achieving the best results. However, you need not always spend millions on design and decoration of the office for reaping the best benefits. Making some creative changes also pays great a dividend. Here is some office design changing ideas that you may follow to start with.

Make the boards decorative

Every office needs to keep a fair number of notes and memos posted in the office. While this is essential for running the show, containing hard facts and instructions, such boards become a dull and drab spot in the office and damage the overall look of the office. As boards cannot be avoided, why it cannot be done in style? Plenty of beautifully designed whiteboards and chalkboards are available. Have one of them installed to change the look. Additionally, you may also introduce a dream board where employees can display their thoughts and hopes for the growth of the organization.

Organizing everything is the key

Having a place for everything and keeping everything in place, is the best way for making an office impressive. You should also clear clutter. This does not mean that you have to toss everything out. Arrange those for improving the decoration.

Light, light, and lights can do havoc

Natural light is great for boosting up the office decor. Design the office in such a way that it can exploit the maximum natural light available. Installing large glass windows are the best option for allowing the daylight in. You can also add more windows for capitalizing on natural light. Other than this, you must also optimize the lighting in the office. Better, get rid of those conventional overhead fluorescent lights and introduce zonal lighting. Opting for indirect lighting also helps to improve the office decoration and makes it energy efficient.

Make everything comfortable

Comfort should be given the priority. All sofas and chairs should be comfortable so that people can work with pleasure. The furniture should also be ergonomically designed to support the spine for reaping the best output. Also, ensure that the monitors are at level with eyes and the keyboards are placed at a comfortable height. To add a most modern look, you can also include standing desks in the office.

Bring the outdoors in

Being biological creature, humans are greatly affected by nature. As far as practicable, make sitting arrangements facing the windows so that people can have a glimpse of the outside landscape. Installing wall-to-wall anti-glare glass window are great for this purpose. Where this is not possible, hang nice scenery on the wall a with window frame that will let you have a fake window with natural effect and improve the office ambiance.

Create a breakout area

No matter what is the size of your office, a breakout area helps to improve the interior. Mark a space in the office where people can discuss problems and do brainstorming for finding solutions. It could be a separate room outside the working zone, or you can define a space for this with area rugs and matching furniture. Include accent pillows to impart the feeling of a home away from home. Creating a nature-inspired breakout area in the office also makes it chic and classy.

Create illusion of space

Majority of the urban offices suffer from space crunch. Mirrors can make the office look more spacious and also help to improve the illumination. Installing wall-to-wall mirrors will take the office decoration to the next level.

Take care of the floors

Having a nice and functional floor makes an office impressive. Consider revamping the floors with stone and ceramic tiles. You may paint cement floors and cover it with carpet for improving the office decor. If noise happens to be an issue in your office, the carpet will help to reduce the noise level.

Decorate the walls

Walls not only confine the office space, but those also help to cater the office. When taken care, walls can act as a great canvas and add to the beauty of the interior. If you are not constructing an office from zero, it is likely that walls will have blemishes. Other than opting for repairing, you can also choose to improve the walls with wall panels. The great advantage of the 3D wall panels is thatthese can be installed easily and once installed the custom wall panels jazz up the place.

Plenty of decorative panels are available made of a wide range of core materials including MDF, Gypsum, and Metal. Available in bespoke modular designs, these textured decorative panels build up an amazing office environment. Wall paneling also offers great protection to the walls. These provide both thermal and acoustic insulation besides up-scaling the aesthetic beauty. Since these can be cleaned easily, they offer a cost-effective solution for revamping the office decor.

The wedding is over and the time has come to spend a few moments alone with your loved one. Naturally, you’d want to do this somewhere far from the annoyances of family. Somewhere quiet and relaxing to help you get over the stress of hosting a wedding and dealing with the subsequent costs. If you’re stateside, there’s good news for you.

There are numerous locations in the US where you and your partner can have a great time together. All of them are relatively affordable and provide a variety of entertainment, along with delicious food and friendly people. After all, there’s nothing better than being able to drive to your intended location as opposed to dealing with the stress and costs of taking a flight abroad.

San Diego

Watching the sunset on the Pacific coastline is the definition of romantic and is easily done on one of San Diego’s countless beaches. For couples who fancy more urban settings, downtown is home to many chic hotels and exotic restaurants. Check out holidayshub.com for more info.

The Big Island

This aptly named Hawaiian getaway offers out of this world natural attractions and beautiful national parks. Sights worth seeing include lava deserts, rich jungles, and the frozen peaks that give this island a unique vibe.

Monterey

While Los Angeles may be the first choice on most honeymooner’s lists when heading to Cali, Monterey is home to a much more relaxed community and a great coastline. Point Lobos State Natural reserve is nearby, offering the opportunity for you to see Kelp forests and untouched coral reefs.

Savannah

This laid-back honeymoon paradise is home to unique flora and beautiful parks, such as Forsyth Park, where couples can get inspired by the moss-draped trees. Great food and a nearby island will make this memorable getaway for two.

Sonoma

For all the wine-lovers out there, Sonoma is home to some of the most beautiful vineyards. Naturally, this results in great wine at the numerous hotels and restaurants claiming this charming small town as their home.

Honolulu

This opulent getaway provides couples with luxurious hotels, high-end resorts, and great beaches. The massive swells found at North Shore are perfect for those looking for something a bit more thrilling. Dine, wine, visit the museums and shop to your heart’s content before ending it all at the idyllic Sunset Beach.

New York City

Love it or hate it, there’s no denying the unique and powerful charm of The Big Apple. Unparalleled skylines and luxurious shopping make for a surprisingly enjoyable honeymoon experience. Be sure to check out the plethora of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs before ending up at your luxurious hotel suite.

Lake Tahoe

If the hustle and bustle of the city aren’t for you, Lake Tahoe is. Scenic mountains surrounded by crystal clear waters make for the ultimate romantic getaway. Be sure to visit the Emerald Bay State Park for some great food and unforgettable sunsets.

Conclusion

It should be clear by now that the US is a vast country that is home to many great locations that’ll suit every budget and personality. Where did you go for your honeymoon? Let us know in the comments down below.

Attention all adventurers; those who refuse to follow the status quo and want to shake things up a bit. Have your vacations become a bit formulaic? Do you simply repeat the same approach to sightseeing over and over — a walk around town, stop for a coffee, a quaint place to eat in the evening? If so, you probably want to turn your next trip on its head and do something totally different. Have you ever thought of the following unusual ways to take in the sights on your next trip?

Get a bird’s eye view

If you desire a change of perspective, you’ll certainly get it by taking a helicopter or hot air balloon tour of your next destination. There’s nothing quite like soaring over a cityscape; seeing skyscraper buildings reduced to miniatures and street vehicles into tiny dots. Or feeling like you could just reach out and touch the side of a mountaintop, coasting through the jet stream with giant birds of prey.

In many cities you’ll find companies offering helicopter tours of the area — arguably some of the most iconic trips you can take would be over the Las Vegas strip or The Grand Canyon. Similarly, you’d be surprised how many hot air balloons are in the skies; hundreds set sail every year above the New Mexico desert.

Go underground

One of the most exhilarating ways to learn the history of a city is by exploring what lies beneath; many of the world’s oldest metropolises have — now disused — hidden tunnel ways, harking from past eras. If your next destination has a history marred with war, you may find there are old safety bunkers underground. Indeed, if you go beneath modern day Naples, you’ll find evidence of how citizens hid from air raids in World War 2; if you look carefully, you can still find old cooking pots and kids’ toys.

Spin around the streets

If the thought of being in dark, enclosed spaces leaves you feeling somewhat funny, why not look for novel ways to tour the streets? With some pre-planning, you should be able to find a tour company offering an ‘off the beaten track’ tour of your next vacation spot. However, for something truly unique and fun, you wouldn’t be disappointed with an open-air “party bus,” like The Trolley Bike. You’d be hard pushed to find a more memorable way to tour a city, especially if you’re traveling with a big group of friends.

Virtually tour far-flung lands

On occasion, the destination of your dreams might be just that — a dream. Luckily, thanks to the Internet, it’s now possible to take in the sights, without having to be there. Have you ever wanted to bear witness to the world’s best marine life? Google has extended its Street View feature to cover The Great Barrier Reef so that you can dive in from the comfort of your own home.

Don’t spend another trip doing the same activities. Try an unusual approach to sightseeing.

While there was a time when no one thought about a bucket list until they were reaching retirement, or at least during late middle years, it is becoming increasingly popular to create those lists much earlier on in life. As the saying goes, you never know what tomorrow may bring, and that seems to be a common thread among Millennials as well as Gen Xers who will be the next big groups to reach retirement but not anytime soon, of course. So why would you want to put the Caribbean on your bucket list? Here are at least five good reasons you might want to consider.

1. Warm, Sunny Beaches

It goes without saying that the Caribbeans best and always most popular reason to visit the islands is because of the warm and sunny beaches. But, here is one thing many people aren’t familiar with. Did you know that not all the islands are crowded with tourists? There are more than 7,000 islands in the Caribbean, so you always have your pick of beaches any day of the year!

2. Diversity of Cultures

Consider those 7,000 islands for just a moment. Here is something many people don’t stop to think about. Those thousands of islands represent 13 different sovereign nations along with 12 independent territories which are closely tied (and protected by) the United States and several European countries. One example would be the Guadalupe Islands, which are overseas departments of France and, interestingly enough, part of the European Union because of this. If you are looking for a chance to acquaint yourself with a variety of cultures, the Caribbean is where you’ll find that place.

3. More than Just Beaches for Outdoor Activities

Most people think of sunny beaches when they think of a trip to the Caribbean, but did you know that many of the islands have far more to offer in terms of outdoor activities? In fact, some of the islands are not visited as much for their sandy beaches as they are for the hilly, rugged terrain that makes a perfect backdrop for backpackers and hikers. From touring with mountain bikes to trekking through those hills, there is something quite intriguing about visiting the more remote islands to get a bit of activity after a year in that office chair.

4. Friendly Locals

Review after review of resorts in the Caribbean says that what visitors loved most about their vacation in the Caribbean was the friendly way in which they were greeted by the locals. This area of the world is one of the most visited vacation spots, but that isn’t why the locals are so friendly. It appears to be a part of their culture as a people living apart from mainland worries, and that is something everyone can enjoy.

With so many islands to explore, a diversity of cultures and the cleanest, sunniest beaches in the world, why wouldn’t anyone want to visit the Caribbean at least once in a lifetime? Just remember that if you are trying to visit at a time when prices tend to be lower and the crowds are thinner, visit at times the locals consider the low season. On most islands, there is a high and a low season, and prices do tend to go up a bit at certain times of the year, but with the weather always being warm, any time is a good time to visit the islands. See for yourself! You won’t be disappointed.

Planning a holiday can be a lot of fun, just thinking about where you want to visit can generate a lot of excitement. However, how you get there can be something you need to think about, not only because of the price but also the hassle, especially with flying. If you are choosing somewhere in your own country, then you could make the journey an adventure as well by choosing to drive to your destination.

Checking Your Car

If you are choosing to drive, you will need to check to make sure your car is fully functional, especially if you are going to be travelling many miles. If you don’t think your car is up to the challenge, then you can always choose a new one from any location like SMART Edinburgh, then you will know it’s in the best condition for your holiday. However, make sure you pack the essential car requirements like oil and water just in case.

Taking Your Time

One of the advantages to choosing to drive over any other form of transport is time. Although you want to get there in time to enjoy your holiday, there is no urgency to get a bus or train at a certain time. There is also no chance of it being cancelled and having to wait around for hours. As soon as the car is packed, you can set off and begin your journey at your leisure.

No Airport Security

With many restrictions on what you can take on board flights, you may find yourself thinking its easier to buy them at your destination. However, if you are travelling by car, then you can take all your essential lotions and creams without the worry that they will be confiscated. It is important to note that if you are planning to cross a border to another country especially from Europe to the UK, there could be checks made and restrictions on certain things.

Seeing the Sights

If you are in a car, you will be seeing all of the scenery passing you by as you travel. If there happens to be something that catches your eye as you drive along, you can stop to investigate. There is no limit to the number of times you can visit things along the way, plus, you won’t have to wait to catch the next bus or train when you leave.

Transport When You Arrive

Once you have reached your destination, you will want to look around and see what your holiday home has to offer. If you were travelling by train or plane, you might have to hire a car for your holiday so that you can get around. However, by taking your car, you have the transport already there without having to spend money on a hire car.

Although driving long distances isn’t everyone’s idea of fun, for those that love to drive it can be the ideal way to get your holiday started on the right note.

Where is on your bucket list?

We write about once-in-a-lifetime experiences from around the world – everything from the greatest festivals to visit, to the best foods to eat and the simple must-see destinations from this wonderful planet.